The land of New Caledonia can be appreciated in many ways. By taking walks, of course, but also by choosing to be enriched by everything that makes it one of a kind as a country. By its environment, its traditions, and its inhabitants. It's through contact with the Caledonians, their nature, and their customs that the archipelago truly reveals itself.

Nature is your playground

The land, sea, forest and mountains make up the natural diversity New Caledonia, so you can enjoy environments that are as different as they are thrilling. And rightly so! Comfortably nestled in the middle of the South Pacific, this archipelago remains a one-of-a-kind, a combination of rare and conserved natural areas.

Effortlessly combining the breathtaking beauty of the South Pacific with the elegance of Europe, Nouméa, New Caledonia is a captivating cosmopolitan capital. Lined with magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways and no shortage of breathtaking vantage points, a visit to the New Caledonian capital reveals some of the incredible reasons why this corner of the globe shouldn’t be missed. From engaging cultural attractions to fun activities for the whole family, there’s so much to see and do across the unforgettable oceanside city of Nouméa, New Caledonia.

Encompassing Ouvéa, the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands that border New Caledonia’s main island are a slice of island paradise just waiting to be discovered. From the Blue Hole of Hanawa on Ouvéa and Warrior’s Leap on Maré to the Jokin Cliffs on Lifour and the Isle of Pines’ Oro Bay, New Caledonia’s islands and their incredible natural beauty are nothing short of captivating.

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

Caledonian aviation

The history of Caledonian aviation has two important dates, when pioneers prepared the land for the first air links between Le Caillou and it neighbours, both near and far... One of these dates commemorates the first flight between New Caledonia and Australia.

While the first stopover flight between the metropolis and Le Caillou took place in 1932 (the legendary flight of Biarritz...), the first direct link between Australia and New Caledonia had been established in 1931.

On 21st November 1931, at 05:03 local time, Victor Roffey, a young Australian aviator, took off from Ouaco in Kaala-Gomen to cross the 1,500 km separating him from his homeland. The location of the take-off was not selected by chance: it is in fact at precisely this spot that the distance between the Grande Terre and the island continent is the shortest!

After 11 hours and 15 minutes of flying, Victor Roffey landed in Marlborough, on board his single-engine De Havilland biplane, known as The Golden Eagle.

Since 2011, a place located in Victor-Roffey Place has been paying homage to this pioneer who opened the skies between New Caledonia and its neighbours.